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Ross Allen Island closing as part of new DEP plan

Portions of Ross Allen Island will be demolished at Silver Springs attraction in Silver Springs, FL on Friday March 8, 2013. The state will take over Silver Springs in September after $4 million worth of improvements are made.

Published: Friday, March 15, 2013 at 2:02 p.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 15, 2013 at 2:02 p.m.

A major piece of Silver Springs’ lore will be shuttered for good come Monday.

Palace Entertainment announced recently that Ross Allen Island will close forever next week in preparation for the state-mandated renovations of the park.

Silver Springs spokesman Brooks Jordan said the feature was being shut down to complete the removal of the reptiles, alligators and birds in that section in complying with the company’s agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection.

Jordan said the renovations on Ross Allen Island have not yet begun.

Palace, in exchange for approval from Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet to terminate its lease early, will pay $4 million for improvements at the attraction before the state park service takes it over on Oct. 1.

The upgrade to Ross Allen Island alone is pegged at about $1 million, according to a DEP report.

That includes the demolition of numerous structures — including popular draws like Rattlesnake Theater, Billy Bowlegs Cafe and the Jungle Cruise dock — and the construction of new bridges to the island.

Ross Allen Island has been a Silver Springs fixture since 1929, although it did not always go by that name.

In its pre-Disney heyday, Allen, during his 40-year run as owner and operator of the Reptile Institute he founded at the park, offered tourists a one-of-a-kind experience.

Allen would thrill and educate visitors with shows of alligator wrestling, snake handling and live demonstrations of Native American life featuring Seminoles that Allen had recruited from South Florida.

Allen continued at the park until 1975, after his once privately owned feature had been absorbed by Silver Springs. He died in 1981.

The venue he performed and taught at during his a nearly 50-year career at the attraction was renamed in his honor in January 2000.

Jordan said Silver Springs still retains some of its animals, notably the bears and jungle cats, and demonstrations will still go on for the near future.

Silver Springs will also continue its concert series as planned.

Guests can still purchase season passes for $59.99 that provide access to the concerts, Silver Springs and Wild Waters until Sept. 30.

According to Palace Entertainment, the state will honor annual passes beyond Sept. 30 for people who had purchased them before the Cabinet’s Jan. 23 vote on the deal with Palace.

<p>A major piece of Silver Springs' lore will be shuttered for good come Monday.</p><p>Palace Entertainment announced recently that Ross Allen Island will close forever next week in preparation for the state-mandated renovations of the park.</p><p>Silver Springs spokesman Brooks Jordan said the feature was being shut down to complete the removal of the reptiles, alligators and birds in that section in complying with the company's agreement with the Department of Environmental Protection.</p><p>Jordan said the renovations on Ross Allen Island have not yet begun.</p><p>Palace, in exchange for approval from Gov. Rick Scott and the Cabinet to terminate its lease early, will pay $4 million for improvements at the attraction before the state park service takes it over on Oct. 1.</p><p>The upgrade to Ross Allen Island alone is pegged at about $1 million, according to a DEP report.</p><p>That includes the demolition of numerous structures — including popular draws like Rattlesnake Theater, Billy Bowlegs Cafe and the Jungle Cruise dock — and the construction of new bridges to the island.</p><p>Ross Allen Island has been a Silver Springs fixture since 1929, although it did not always go by that name.</p><p>In its pre-Disney heyday, Allen, during his 40-year run as owner and operator of the Reptile Institute he founded at the park, offered tourists a one-of-a-kind experience.</p><p>Allen would thrill and educate visitors with shows of alligator wrestling, snake handling and live demonstrations of Native American life featuring Seminoles that Allen had recruited from South Florida.</p><p>Allen continued at the park until 1975, after his once privately owned feature had been absorbed by Silver Springs. He died in 1981.</p><p>The venue he performed and taught at during his a nearly 50-year career at the attraction was renamed in his honor in January 2000.</p><p>Jordan said Silver Springs still retains some of its animals, notably the bears and jungle cats, and demonstrations will still go on for the near future.</p><p>Silver Springs will also continue its concert series as planned.</p><p>Guests can still purchase season passes for $59.99 that provide access to the concerts, Silver Springs and Wild Waters until Sept. 30.</p><p>According to Palace Entertainment, the state will honor annual passes beyond Sept. 30 for people who had purchased them before the Cabinet's Jan. 23 vote on the deal with Palace.</p><p><i>Contact Bill Thompson at 867-4117 or bill.thompson@starbanner.com.</i></p>